Show Your Show Piece

I thought it might be the rate but wasn't sure since 50 cents seems a lot to mail a letter in 1793 (I didn't consider it might be very heavy). Nice item.

I might as well join in -

Wow. That cover is truly a showpiece, SPQR!

I was really glad to pick up this folded letter, with the small Boston paid, and Scott #11. Was even more glad finding the stamp to Be a 10a! Thanks for the help, SCF members, Sinclair2010 and billw2.

Still need to find a #11 with small paid.



PS: the tape seen at top, is only on the plastic sleeve the cover is housed in.

Thanks for the topic and the many show worthy entries. This one can help start a conversation at times.







Hobsun013

MAGNIFICENT cover SPQR! It has so many things going for it, not the least of which is the striking color combo.

(BTW- with that handle, did/does your avie collect Roman coins?)

@Hobsun013 - I don't get around much, but I don't recall seeing one of those used before. I wonder if it was credited as a 5 or a 2. Great little conversation starter for sure.

Great topic and some amazing pieces!
Here are three that I am proud to have in my collection....

Time for me to add a few of my faves...

First up, the only reported example of this ornate photographer stencil cancel. It currently holds the record in my collection for the highest premium paid for a cancel over the catalog value of a stamp. It sold for $525 in the 1991 Morton Dean Joyce auction, purchased by Eric Jackson. Eric then sold it two years later to Bruce Baryla for approximately $900 (a fair chunk of money in 1993), and it resided in Bruce's award winning "Civil War Sun Tax" exhibit until Bruce broke up the exhibit and I acquired it.




A pair of R82e ($2 Mortgage bisect), each on separate documents dated 1 day apart, being the two halves of the same stamp. Purchased from Richard Friedberg.





A digitally superimposed image of the two halves:




A wonderful example of R83a ($7,750 cat) on document with a very bold manuscript cancel.




While technically just two damaged damaged stamps, they serve to create what was termed "a $2.50 Conveyance-Entry of Goods provisional." Originally written up in the February 1979 American Revenuer:

Illustrated here must be what would be called the only known example of a First Issue $2.50 Conveyance stamp (or is it an Entry of Goods stamp?). The stamp is on a document belonging to ARA member George Alevizos. It is a warranty deed dated September 15, 1871 for a parcel of land in Abington, Massachusetts. The purchase price was $2,500 and required tax stamps totaling $2.50 be attached. However, as can be seen from the illustrations, there was not enough room to attach the two stamps that were to be used to make the $2.50 rate. Curved cuts were made above the 'TWO DOLLARS' and below 'CONVEYANCE' on a copy of R81. A copy of R55 was trimmed close and woven through the $2 stamp. Both stamps are there in their entirety. This $2.50 provisional was then attached to the document and canceled. The cancellation consisting of the initials H.H.P. above and Sep. 15, 1871 between two parallel lines ties both stamps together and to the document as shown in the enlarged illustration. This definitely has to be one of the more interesting first issue items 'on cover.'






And throwing in an item from the "illegal/improper usage" category, an unsurpassed (as far as I know) fifteen copies of Scott #65 used as revenues on a document comprising two promissory notes.




I have more, but that's enough for now.

WOW..., you guys set the bar very high.

First I must say what a great topic! But first&foremost( without predujdice )the BEAUTIFUL stamp's and cover's that have been shown are wonderful! Thank's for posting. the revenuecollector has some GREAT item's,I alway's was a BOB type of guy.chipg has some outstanding cover's! I couldn't name everyone but they are all really really nice.Now to my showpeice,Well let's use that term lightly.As I read in these post a "showpeice" isn't really about who has the MNH #1,Or a block of them,Etc.It's what you like right? Ok i;m from Erie PA. And this is going to be my 1st.post.Some i'm bias to Erie,PA.,But also love fancy cancels! Enough rambling here's my newest find,My "SHOWPEICE" #U 144(U40) I think!It has a 1882 dated invoice inside. I have not checked the varieties yet....HAPPY
HUNTING!
P.S. I added afew other favs...The hand cancel,3 slashe's..3 strikes your out.A couple "bullseyes" or "targets",The 3 are my newest one's,Obviously the written cancel is not from Erie Nor doe's it relate to Erie.Just love STAMPS COVERS&CANCELS!

I don't have the income or skill to obtain true Philatelic show pieces. But, I'm enjoying gathering unique little pieces. This twice used 1920's envelope, is one of my favorites.
It has no great monetary value but seems fairly unique

540 / 540a block of 40...

Stampcow, I strongly disagree with what you said especially "I don't have the income or skill to obtain true Philatelic show pieces". Skill perhaps is difficult to learn, but books helps. What exactly is a "Philatelic show piece" anyway. I have stamps and related items which I think are very much Philatelic show pieces, but most of them did not cost very much. In the future I will posted an very interesting and extreme double transfer which came to me recently in a small mix of revenues. So, gain the knowledge, and you will discover what moves you, and as far as I'm concerned will be your Philatelic show piece!

Dave

Since I got to looking at some of my Erie,PA. cover's and came acrcoss another favorite! Imagine that.Somewhat odd to me,The stamp itself,Cancel at first look's like a cork cancel,Split.Looking closer like at left below cheek look's covered then to the right what look's like a partial grill? I'm no expert by any mean's so this is why I ask to anybody if it look's odd,Unusual.To them(You)...As said before it's NOT about value it's about what you like&Knowledge...Here's another "show-peice" of mine.HAPPY HUNTING!

Well since it is Easter&all I might as well post another"show-peice"...Poor kid must have forgotten the stamp! That's SOUTH ERIE STATION Approx.1910-15.HAPPY EASTER EVERYBODY! &HAPPY HUNTING!